Director, Project Development - Energy Infrastructure

Brunel has partnered with a fast-growing U.S. energy and infrastructure company to hire a Director, Project Development for its expanding Development & Origination team.

Backed by leading global investment partners, our client develops, builds, owns, and operates large-scale power generation and data center infrastructure projects across the United States .

In this role, you will lead the strategy, origination, and execution of major energy infrastructure projects , advancing opportunities from early-stage development through financial close and Notice to Proceed (NTP). You will work closely with internal teams, customers, utilities, regulators, financing partners, and other external stakeholders to bring complex infrastructure projects to execution.

About Our Client

Our client is a rapidly growing energy and infrastructure platform focused on developing and delivering large-scale power and digital infrastructure across the United States.

Since launching, the organization has built a significant operating portfolio alongside a strong nationwide development pipeline. Its integrated platform brings together power generation, project development, energy infrastructure, and data center solutions to address the rapidly evolving energy needs of customers across the U.S.

The organization combines technical expertise, commercial innovation, and execution capabilities to develop reliable, secure, and forward-thinking infrastructure projects.

About the Role

The Director of Project Development will lead the strategy, origination, and execution of large-scale energy infrastructure projects across the U.S., with a particular focus on natural gas, thermal power generation, and data center-related energy solutions .

This individual will be responsible for advancing projects from early-stage origination through financial close and Notice to Proceed (NTP) while driving alignment across commercial, engineering, regulatory, financing, procurement, and construction teams.

The Director will play a critical leadership role in shaping the organization's development pipeline, evaluating new market opportunities, establishing strategic partnerships, and ensuring successful project execution within increasingly complex regulatory and commercial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the full lifecycle development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects, including natural gas-fired generation, pipeline and interconnection infrastructure, renewable energy, and data center energy solutions , from origination through NTP.
• Own development strategy and pipeline growth, identifying and executing greenfield and acquisition opportunities across target U.S. markets.
• Direct due diligence efforts for project and portfolio acquisitions, assessing commercial, technical, regulatory, environmental, and execution risks and opportunities.
• Structure and negotiate complex transactions, including joint ventures, co-development agreements, and strategic partnerships to expand the development portfolio.
• Provide executive oversight of project financials, including pro forma modeling, capital structuring, and investment committee materials.
• Lead the negotiation of key commercial agreements associated with project development and execution.
• Drive projects through financing and investment approvals, partnering closely with Capital Markets teams and external financing partners.
• Oversee permitting and regulatory strategy, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, particularly those related to natural gas infrastructure and emissions frameworks.
• Lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Strategy, Procurement, Construction, Finance, and external consultants to optimize project design, technology selection, and execution strategy.
• Manage senior external stakeholder relationships, including utilities, ISOs/RTOs, regulators, landowners, customers, and joint venture partners.
• Establish and maintain development best practices across governance, risk management, budgeting, scheduling, and project execution.
• Manage multiple complex development projects concurrently while maintaining visibility into key milestones, risks, dependencies, and commercial priorities.
• Mentor and develop members of the development organization, providing strategic direction, coaching, and performance oversight.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related field ; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of project development experience within the energy and infrastructure sector.
• Significant experience with natural gas, thermal power generation, midstream infrastructure, or other large-scale energy infrastructure projects .
• Proven track record of successfully advancing complex, large-scale projects through financial close and NTP .
• Deep understanding of natural gas markets , including gas supply, transportation, storage, and integration with power generation assets.
• Strong experience with project structuring and complex commercial negotiations, including PPAs, gas agreements, EPC contracts, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships .
• Expertise in project permitting, environmental compliance, and regulatory processes, particularly for natural gas and power infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple complex development projects simultaneously.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience overseeing project pro formas, capital requirements, and investment decision-making.
• Familiarity with grid interconnection processes, ISOs/RTOs, and U.S. energy market dynamics .
• Experience with land acquisition, real estate agreements, title review, and ALTA surveys.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior internal and external audiences.
• Proficiency with standard business and project management tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project.

Our client offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package designed to provide flexibility and comprehensive support for employees and their families.

Full-time employees are eligible for benefits including:

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off plus 11 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical, dependent care, transit, and parking, including company contributions
• Mental, physical, and social wellness support
• Monthly reimbursement for phone, internet, and data
• Optional legal and pet insurance plans
• Device purchase support

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to join a high-growth energy infrastructure platform at a pivotal stage of expansion and play a meaningful role in developing some of the country's most significant next-generation power and infrastructure projects.

The position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of power generation, natural gas infrastructure, project development, and rapidly growing data center energy demand , while leading complex projects from concept through execution.